Sales Manager

Chuck Cohen

** ******* ****, *******, *** York **536 USA

E-Mail - ab8utn@r.postjobfree.com

Phone 1-914-***-**** Ext. 1# ( Fax 1-845-***-****

Professional Experience

Summary

Extensive CPG experience. Expertise in developing and sourcing consumer

products internationally for retailers, manufacturers and importers. In

addition to sourcing, has had a progressive career guiding manufacturers of

consumer products beyond difficult plateaus to achieve greater

profitability.

Vice President Sourcing & Business Development

Sedesco, Inc, New York, NY

5/10 - 9/12

Globally develop and source consumer products from factories and suppliers

around the world for Turkey's fastest growing chain of retail stores

. Established reliable suppliers in the USA, China, Korea, UK,

Israel, Germany and Australia

. Sourced, developed products and placed first time orders with more

than 200 factories and exporters worldwide.

. Differentiated product mix from other retailers in the Turkish

marketplace

. Developed products that improved margin and profitability

President

MarketSource, Inc., Katonah, NY

1996-2010

Successfully developed overseas sources of supplies for manufacturing and

distribution companies looking to reduce their costs without compromising

quality. Provided management consulting to mature companies looking to

alter their strategic direction in a competitive environment.

Executive Vice President

David Oestreich, Inc., Valley Stream, NY

1996 - 2006

Leading sales agency representing manufacturers in the sale of their

products to retail stores in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

President

Helix, U.S.A., Ltd., Medford, NY

1993- 1996

Subsidiary of 100-year-old U.K. manufacturer, which imports and distributes

school and drafting supplies for distribution throughout the United States.

The primary customer base consists of the major mass merchants. Drug and

grocery chains, office product superstores, retailers and wholesalers.

Job Title: President and General Manager

Directly responsible for all aspects of U.S. operation including

development of profit plan and a staff of 18.

. Developed programs to motivate independent sales representatives

. Exceeded profit plan each year, doubling the net profit two years in

a row

. Increased gross sales by over 40%

. Raised gross margin by 7.9% in two years

. Reduced year end inventory holdings from 38% of sales to 22%

. Developed long term planning and pricing strategies

. Eliminated approximately 30% of SKUS

. Reduced cost of goods

. Focused sales on primary market opportunities

. Developed point of sale displays

. Directly responsible for opening major accounts in drug and

office products industry

Twincraft, Inc., Winooski. VT

1987- 1992

Manufacturer of decorative soaps gifts and personal care products. The

customer base consisted of major mass merchants, gift shops, craft

retailers and distributors, department stores, wholesalers, drug and

grocery chains throughout the United States and Canada.

Job Title: Divisional Vice President

Initially joined company as sales manager responsible for all retail sales.

My success ultimately enabled us to divide our sales efforts into two

distinct divisions, which utilized separate sales rep organizations,

manufacturing, and internal support teams. Each business unit operated as

a separate profit center. As divisional Vice President, mass markets, I

set the strategic tone and budgets. I was responsible for sales

management, a customer service team and a manufacturing unit. Long term

planning, profitability, development and implementation of a business plan

designed to anticipate market needs were all part of my responsibilities.

The responsibilities were diverse, including establishing pricing policies

and the right corporate image.

. Developed and implemented business plans which made the

division more responsive to the market needs

. Increased sales by over 100% and improved gross profits

. Established clear pricing policies

. Demonstrated superior ability at motivating, managing,

hiring, training and retaining independent sales

representatives enabling them to make professional and

productive presentations.

. Personally managed key accounts

. Significantly improved the corporate image by changing

product mix, sales literature and methods of presentation

. Reduced cost of goods while improving quality by utilizing

outside subcontractors in place of in-house labor

. Analyzed market trends, reduced SKUS and inventory levels

. Developed invoicing program which reduced collection time

. Reduced operating costs by consolidating job functions

J.C. Nellissen, Inc., New York, NY

1974-1987

The company marketed in-store monogramming systems. While the company

provided equipment and supplies, it was a business that relied on selling a

concept or an intangible. Retailers in the department, specialty and mass

merchandise classes of trade were sold on the concept that the Nellissen

system would help them sell more merchandise at higher margins while

creating a final sale.

Job Title: Executive Vice President

Joined company at its inception as a salesman, became sales manager, Vice

President of sales and ultimately, Executive Vice President in 1980.

Developed and implemented marketing and sales plans that included a major

joint marketing plan with many of the leading manufacturers in the

housewares, domestics, men's and ladies apparel industries. Hired and

managed sales manager and sales force consisting of company sales people

and independent sales representatives. Responsible for factory and

supplier relations.

. Grew sales from zero to over six million dollars annually in

high margin sales

. Taught independent sales representatives who previously sold

tangible products the art of conceptual selling

. Directed the creation of training videos for retailers and

sales representatives

. Motivated sales representatives to take a product that had a

negative consumer image in 1974 and developed it into a

program with a demonstrated high consumer demand

. Created cooperative marketing program with manufacturers in

non-competing industries to enable company to rapidly

penetrate market

. Secured distribution facility which enabled company to ship

greater volume at a fixed cost per order which resulted in a

cost reduction

. Developed and wrote factory procedure manual resulting in

faster, more accurate fulfillment of orders

. Guided company to leadership status in industry

Educational Background

Hofstra University, B.A. Degree 1973

Honors

Corp Person of the Year - KBHVAC

2010

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition 1998

Awarded by United States Congress

Who's Who in the East 21st edition 1987

Outstanding Young Men of America 1982

"Jack A. Walner Award", Alumnus of the Year, Sigma Alpha Rho 1976

References

Available on request

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